Selecting system



1. H. BELL. SELECTING SYSTEM AFSPLICATION FILED AUG-29,1917- $55; rToUn 9 Di sIribuTo E" lnvemon- John H. 5e.

WArrs Q signaling impu 'tained by suitable means and later released UNITED STATES OFFICE.

JOHN HUME BELL, OF EAST ORANGE, NEXV JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY, INCORPORATED, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SELECTING SYFJTEM Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J uly 8, 1919.

Application filed August 29, 1917. Serial No. 188,729.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Join H BELL, a citi- Zen of the United States, residing at East Orange, in the county of Essex and State vl tenis particularly adapted for use in duplex printing telegraphs wherein the character signals consist of a definite number of unpulses. The principal object of this invention is to provide means to economize in line time so as to transmit the maximum number of characters per minute with a minimuil'i number of signaling impulses.

A further object of this inventii i n is tosimplify and reduce to a minimum the number of mechanically moving parts through the employment of electrical recep tors or current impulse storing means.

For the accomplishment of the above objects,'the invention comprises signal storage means and current impulse distributing apparatus whereb each successive group of is; may be stored or re and distributed to effect the operation of siiitable recording means, While a suhsequent group of signaling impulses is being received and stored in readiness to cause a subsequentopcration of the recording means. More specifically, the invention preferably comprises means for distribut ing the. effects of the line current impulses of each group of character combinations to a set of condensers in which the signals are stored until the complete group of signals is received, whereupon the charged condensers are permitted to discharge simultaneously through the windings of selecting magnets to perform some selecting opclation, as, for example, the actuation of code bars or selecting disks. This arrangement for causing one group of character signals to effect the operation of suitable recording means while another group of impulses are being stored in readiness to'ell'cct a subsequent operation of the recording means prorides a complete overlap for the distributionable feature of wasting line time in the transmission and distribution of such impulses.

The preferred embodiment of this invention is illustrated in the :u-companying drawing, as applied to the receiving inechanism of a duplex printing telegraph system, but it is to be understood that applicant does not limit his invention to the specific arrangement shown, as the in ntion'is obviously suitable for other purposes where it may be desirable to store current impulses tor a definite or predetermined period of time and then employ such stored impulses for performing various functions.

The above and other features of this in vcntion will be fully set forth in the follow ing description and claims, and will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawing wherein the apparatus is shown diagrammatically. 1n the :u-companying drawing, a rotary current distrihulcr is shown developed, and cmprises seven rings A, B, C, D, E, F and G,

some of which are continuous and others of which arc segmented for purposes as will hcr cina-t'tcr appear. The continuous ring A, which is connected to the tongue 23 of a polarized line relay 21. is a common receiving ring. The receiving segments 1 toinclusive of reduced size, comprising the ring ii, are arranged to be interconnected with the common receiving ring A by means of a brush 24 carried by a suitable rotatable arm (not shown) and is adapted to sweep over the rings A and B. Connected to each of the receiving segments of the ring 13 is a condenser of suitable capac ity for storing up the cfl'ccts of the line current impulses or impulses corresponding with impulses received over a line L. (ondcusers 11, 12. 13, ll and 15 have one sldc in common connected to segment 28 of ring and comlcnscrs 16. 17, 18, 19 and 20 have one side in common connected to segmcnt 2!) of ring (1 Rings and l) form a pairfland are arranged to be intcrconmicted by a brush '27 which maintains an angular relation of approximately 180 with respect to the brushes 24, and 26. Rings C and l) form another pair and are adaptedto be interconnected by the brush 25, while rings F a l)(l G form stilP-another pair and are adapted to be interconnected by the brush 26.

The invention as herein disclosed, provides that the current polarity of alternate letter signals--bc reversed as will presently appear. 40, 41, 42, ("land 44 are provided for connecting the windings of selecting magnets 50, .71, 52, 53 and 54 alternately with the groups of condensers 11 to inclusive, and It; to 20. inclusive. The switching relays 40 to 4-1 inclusive are polarized so that they are energized, say by positive current as indicated by the conventional plus sign in the drawing. and caused to bring their arma turcs into engagement with the front contacts thereof. When negative battery is applied to the switching relays their armatures fall back and engage the back contacts thereof. A sixth pulse relay or printing magnet included between an earth connection and segments 36 and 38 of ring'G is controlled by the distributer brush 26. The segments 36 and 3b are so positioned that immediately after the selecting magnets have functioned the ma net 55 will be eiicr ized to effect.

the printing of the desired character or any other suitable operation.

Let. us assuinc that the brushes 24, 25, Q6 and 27 as shown in the drawings are moving in the direction of the arrow and that the brush 24 is ready to interconnect the ring A with segment 1 of ring l3; that brush I is just moving on to segments '28 and of rings C and D; that brush 26 is just starting on segments 32 and of rings F and G, and that brush 27 is ready to interconnect ring I) with scgnicntQt) of ring C. Let us also assume that signals are comingin. oyer the lin L to effect the operation ofthe line relay :21 and that the armature tongue 23 is connecting positive or negative battery to the common ring A, depending upon the polarity oi the signaling impulses As the brush 24 sweeps ovcr ring A and the segments 1 to 5 inclusive, certain of the condensers 11 to 15 inclusive will be charged according to the position of the tongue of the It is also to be remembered that while brush 24 is passing over the main line relay 21.

first five segments of ring B, brush 25 is passing over segments 28 and 30 of rings C and I). Now, since one side of each of the condensers 11 to 15 inclusive is connected through segment 28 of ring C, brush 25 and segment 30 of ring E to the positively poled local battery, only those condensers conncctcd to the line relay tongue, while it makes contact with the negative pole of the local battery, will be charged. Now, as

' brush 2t; intcrcomiects segment 32 of ring F with the segment of ring'G current Will- A plurality of switching relays the switching relays to 44 ininately the same time, brush 27, which follows approximately 180 behind the brushes 24, 25 and 26, also interconnects segment 29 of ring C with ring D, thereby providing" ground for the common connection of condensers 16, 17, 18, 19 andZO. Since these condensers have not been previously charged, selecting magnets 50 to 54.- inclusive are not affected at this time. After the crush 26 passes from the segment 35-it' later interconnects the segment 32 of ring F with segment 36 of ring G, thereby causing current to flow from positive battery through the wind ing of the printing magnet 55. Since the selecting magnets to 54 inclusive have not as yet been actuated to effect a selection, operation of the printing magnet at this time is an'idle or ineffective action.

Let us assume now, that'as the brush 24 passed over the first five segments of ring B, condensers 11, 13 and 14 were charged. Now, as brush 24 enters upon the second group of receiving segments 6 to 10 inclusive and brush -25 enters upon segments 29 and 31 of rings C and E, brush 27 will interconnect segment 28 of ring C with ring D and brush 26 will interconnect segment 33 of ring F with segment- 37 of ring G. When brush 2? interconnectssegment 28, with ring D, ground is connected to one side of the condensers of the first groupand when brush 26 interconnects segments 33 and 37 current from negative battery 46 effects the deinergization of the switching relays 40 to 44 inclusive, thereby,connecting the other side of the condensers 11 to 15 inclusive to ground, through the back contacts and arinatures of switching relays 40 to 44 inclusive and the windings of the selecting magnets 50 to 54 inclusive. Since we have assumed only condensers 11, 13 and 14 to be charged, only the selecting magnets 50, 52 and 53 which are connectedwith those condensers, will be energized by the dischar e current from those condensers. Imme' iately aftera selection has been set up on the selecting magnets 50 to 54 inclusive the brush 26 interconnects segment 34 of ring F with segment 38 of ring G, thereby causing currenflto flow from positive battery 47 through thefwi'nding of the printing magnet 55 to ground ithereby effecting the printing.

of the chaiact'er'set up by the selecting magnets. Now, while the -selecting magnets are functioningtin' response to the released iinpulses which werefstored up in the first group of'coinden'sers and while the printing operation is taking place, a second group of signaling impulses is being stored up in con-. densers 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 inclusive. Since one side of each condenser 16 to 20 inclusive is connected through segment 29 of ring C, brush 25 and segment 31 of ring E with the negatively poled local battery, only those-condensers will be charged which are connected to 'the line relay tongue while it is in contact with the positively poled local battery.

By means of this arrangement it will be seen that there is absolutely no line time lost during the functioning of the local apparatus-and that by means of the present arrangement the entire line time may be utilized for the-transmission of character signals. as while one group of signals representing a character is being received, a group of impulses representing a preceding character are being translated or recorded in intelligible form.

In order to avoid complicating the drawing, the sending rings of the distributer face have not been shown, It will be readily understood, however, that a pair of rings similar to the continuous ring A and segmented ring B may be used, and the common ring may be connected to the line through the line relay, as shown. Also, no means have been shown for modifying the effects of the condenser discharge but it is to be understood that if necessary resistance may be introduced, for example, in the connection between ground and the ring D to prevent an oscillatory discharge taking place.

The selecting and printing magnets 50 to 55 inclusive may be employed for operating any suitable receiving mechanism such, for example, as disclosed in Patent 1,103,133 dated July 14:, 1914.

. \Vhat is claimed is:

1. In a printing telegraph system, a current distributer, groups of signal storing means in circuit with said dlstributer. a plurality of selecting magnets, and a plurality of switching relays for alternately connecting said groups of signal storing means in circuit with said selecting magnets.

2. In a printing telegraph system. the combination with amain line of a current distribute? for receiving line current impulses, groups of signal storing means to which the ,inipulses are distributed for storage, a plurality of selecting magnets, and a plurality of switching relays for alternately connecting said groups of signal storing means in circuit with said selecting magnets.

3. In a printing telegraph system, the combination of a current distributer, a plurality of circuits connected thereto, condensers in said circuitsand arranged to be charged by current impulses of predeter mined polarity, selecting magnets. and means for causing said charged condensers to discharge simultaneously through the sclecting magnets to effect their operation.

In a printing telegraph system. the combination of a current distributor, a plurality of circuits connected thereto, condensers in said circuits and arranged to be charged subsequently by current impulses of predetermined polarity. selecting min -nelswindings for said magncts. and means for causing the said charged condensers to dis chargesimultaneously through the windings of the selecting magnets to bli'cct lhcir op oration. 1

In a printing telegraph system wherein the characters arercprcscntcd by permutations of impulscs. a current distrihulcr for distributing said impulses. sets of signal storage means connected to said dislrihulcr. selecting magnets normally connected to one of said sets of signal storage means and disconnected from the other, and electro-mcchanisms controlled by said distributor for alternately connecting and disconnecting the said sets of signal storage means to and from said selecting magnets.

(i. In a printing telegraph system wherein the characters are represented by per mutations of impulses, a current distributor for distributing said impulses, sets of signal storage means connected to said distrihutcr. selecting magnets normally connected to one of said sets of signal storage means and disconnected from the other, and switching relays controlled by said distributor for alternately connecting and disconnecting said sets of signal storage means to and from said selecting magnets.

T. In a printing telegraph system. the c mibination with a main line, of a current distributor for distributing the line current impulses, a plurality of sets of signal storing mcans associated with said distributor, 10o selecting mechanism. and a single group of relays tor causing said sets of signal storage means to alternately cli'cctthe operation of said selccting mechanism.

S. In a printing telegraph system. the combination with a main line. of a current, distributor for distributing the line currently impulses, a plurality of sets of signal stor in means associated with said distributor; selecting mechanism, and a plurality of 0 switchingrelays for connectin said sets of signal storing means alternateIy to said selecting incchanisn'i.

9. In a printing telegraph system, the combination with a main line, of a rotary current distributor for distributing the line current impulses, a plurality of groups ofcondcnsers associated with said distributerfor the storing of impulses, selecting magnets, and a plurality of switching relayscontrolled by said distributor for alternately connecting and disconnecting said groups 0 condensers to and from the selecting mag. ncls.

10. In a printing telegraph system wherein the charactcrs are represented by permutations of impulses, the combination with a current distributor, a selecting mechanism comprisin a plurality of selecting magnets,

whose operation is dependent upon the sc- 1 qucnce polarity of the permutation impulses, two groups of condensers therefor,-

and means for operating said groups of condensers alternately.

11. Ina printing telegraph system Wherein the characters. are represented by permutations of line current; impulses, the combi nation with a current distributer, a selecting mechanism associated therewith, a plurality of sets of condensersconnected to said distributer, and means controlled by the said distributor for connectin said sets of condensers alternately to 'sa1 selecting mechacombination with a main line,

12. In a printing telegraph sfystem, the o a current distributer for distributing the line current impulses, groups of condensers for storing said impulses, selecting mechanism, and means for discharging said groups of con densers alternately through said selecting mechanism to effect their operation. V 13. In a printing telegraph system, the combination with a main line, of a current distributer for distributing the line cur- I rent impulses, a plurality of circuits connected to said distributor, condensers in said circuits, a local source of current for charging.

' said condensers, selectingmagnets, wind ngs mg mec anism, and means for causing the therefor, and means controlled by said distributer for causing said charged condensers discharge through the windings of the selecting magnets to .efl'ect their operation.

14. In a printing telegraph system Wherein the characters are represented by permutations of impulses, the combination with a currentdistributer, groups of signal storing ;.means{eom1ected to said distributor,

gzneansrfor storing the effects of the line currout sin less, in said storing means, selectstored signals to effect the operation of the selectlng mechanism. while a subsequent group of current impulses is being stored in another group of signal storing means.

In a printing telegraph system Whereinflthecharacters are represented by permutations of impulses, the combination with ciated with said distributor for the storage of the line current impulses, means for charging'said groups of condensers alternately, selectlng magnets, windings therefor, and means for causing said groups "of condensers to discharge alternatelytlirough the windings of the selecting magnets.

17. In a printing telegraph system, the

combination of a main line, a polarized relay connecte'din said line, a current impulse distributer for distributing the clients of the line current impulses, groups of condensers associated with said distributer, a local source of current for charging said condensers; in accordance With the polarity of the line current'impulses, selectin magnets, and switching mechanism control ed by said distribute'r for connecting said groups of condensers alternately to the selecting magnets. V

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 24th day of August, A. D. 1917.

JOHN HUME BELL. 

